THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF 



GILBERT WHITE 



OF SELBORNE 



CHAPTER L 



On September 27th, 1776, Mulso writes that he was 



unable to visit his friend this year, because — 



" I have a great variety of businesses now on my hands, 

 ... I have all my farmers to compose. ... I am horribly 

 provoked, for curiosity as well as affection draw me towards 

 you: and Mrs. Mulso, hearing of practicable egress and 

 regress, remits her apprehensions of walking to Selborne: 

 as to my girls, the thought of it is a banquet. ... Oh ! 

 how unlike is the visit of Bloxam * and attorney Knott to 

 the elegant attendance of Mr. Grimm, who came to per- 

 petuate scenery so dear to you? Yours is a life of virtii, 

 and mine of carking and caring." 



The influence of Mr. Grimm is perhaps apparent 



in the following entry in the Naturalist's Journal : — 



"Oct. 12. The hanging beech-woods begin to be beauti- 

 fully tinged, and to afford most lovely scapes very engaging 

 to the eye and imagination. They afford sweet lights and 



* A surveyor. 

 VOL. II. — B 



